Breeder/owner Henry Rathbun Dead

Virginia breeder/owner Henry Rathbun maintained a small broodmare band with his wife.

Breeder/owner Henry Tompkins “Duffy” Rathbun died March 19 in Cape Coral, Fla., from complications following a heart attack. He was 87.

Rathbun and his wife, Sheilah, owned a 30-acre farm near Middleburg, Va., where they maintained a small broodmare band. Together and separately, they were represented as breeders by seven stakes winner, four of which they raced, including graded winner Miss Otis. Her victory came in the 1992 Noble Damsel Stakes (gr. III) at Belmont Park.

Born in Elmira, N.Y., Rathbun served on a Navy destroyer during World War II. He later was a founding partner in the Washington, D.C., law firm Wilmer, Cutler, & Pickering.

Rathbun is survived by a son, Gordon, and daughters Jennie and Sheila.